Texas TEKS 3.1

3.1 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 3.1.A

  ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations

• 3.1.B

  use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems

• 3.1.C

  demonstrate safe practices and the use of safety equipment during classroom and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety stand...

• 3.1.D

  use tools, including hand lenses; metric rulers; Celsius thermometers; wind vanes; rain gauges; graduated cylinders; beakers; digital scales; hot plates; meter ...

• 3.1.E

  collect observations and measurements as evidence

• 3.1.F

  construct appropriate graphic organizers to collect data, including tables, bar graphs, line graphs, tree maps, concept maps, Venn diagrams, flow charts or sequ...

• 3.1.G

  develop and use models to represent phenomena, objects, and processes or design a prototype for a solution to a problem.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students turn observations into questions they can investigate or problems they can solve. They plan safe steps, choose suitable tools, and collect measurements and observations. They organize evidence in charts or graphs, then build models or prototypes to explain results or test solutions.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can plan and carry out a fair, safe investigation with little support. The student records labeled metric data, selects a useful graph or organizer, and uses evidence to explain a result. Models and prototypes show the main parts or steps clearly.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may write broad questions that cannot be tested or change several conditions at once. They may record opinions instead of observations, omit units, or choose a graph that does not fit the data. Some treat models as exact copies rather than useful representations.

04

How to Assess It

Give students the prompt, “Which paper towel absorbs the most water?” Ask them to list safe steps, tools, one controlled condition, and a labeled data table.

1. 01

   Have teams compare soil samples with hand lenses, rulers, and digital scales, then record observations in a table while following posted safety steps.

2. 02

   Show a melting ice cube and ask students to write one testable question, one prediction, and the evidence they would collect.

3. 03

   Play Tool Match by having pairs match investigation cards with tool cards, measurement units, and the best graph or organizer.

4. 04

   Place a rain gauge outside, record rainfall for two weeks, graph the data, and propose a solution for puddles near the school walkway.

• 1.1

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.

• K.1

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 2.1

  The 2nd Grade version of this standard.

• 4.1

  The 4th Grade version of this standard.